Health Department Advises of Recall of Ground Turkey

BURLINGTON - The Health Department is advising Vermonters to pay attention to a recall of 36 million pounds of ground turkey products from Cargill Meat Solutions Corporation that may be contaminated with a multi-drug resistant strain of Salmonella bacteria, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).

The recalled products include ground turkey, turkey chubs, ground patties and frozen ground patties that bear the establishment number "P-963" inside the USDA mark of inspection.

No illnesses associated with this recall have been reported in Vermont. If consumers in Vermont have purchased Cargill turkey products included in the recall, consumers are advised to throw the product away.

Salmonella bacteria is sometimes found in raw foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and produce. Symptoms of illness caused by Salmonella include fever, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Salmonella bacteria can enter the bloodstream and cause life-threatening infections, especially for people with weakened immune systems or other underlying health conditions.

To prevent salmonellosis and other foodborne illnesses, wash hands with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and poultry, and cook thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165° F.